The DRO register is the name given to the public register where Debt Relief Orders (DROs) are recorded. Whether you're considering or already have a DRO, it’s important to understand what being on the register means and how it could affect you. In this guide, we’ll explain what information is recorded, who can access it, how long your details remain on the register, and what being listed could mean for you.
What is a Debt Relief Order (DRO)?
A Debt Relief Order (DRO) is a formal and legally binding debt solution designed to help individuals struggling with debt in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is primarily designed for individuals with low income and few assets.
Only certain debts can be included in a DRO, including credit cards, overdrafts, payday loans, store cards, benefits overpayments, money owed to friends and family, and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) debts. These are called qualifying debts. Rent arrears can be included, but a DRO doesn't protect you from your landlord taking court action to evict you.
Certain debts cannot be included in a DRO, such as student loans, child maintenance and family court orders, criminal fines, and TV licence arrears. These are called excluded debts. Debts incurred through fraud must be included in the DRO, but they cannot be written off.
During a DRO, you will be protected from further action from your creditors, including collection activity, and they cannot add interest or charges to any of the included debts. This is known as the moratorium period.
The typical DRO period is 12 months, after which all included debts will be written off and you'll be discharged from your arrangement.
Find out if your debts qualify
Check my eligibilityHow does the DRO application work?
You must apply for a DRO through an approved intermediary or debt advisor, and you cannot apply jointly with another person.
They will then calculate your total debt, assets, and surplus income to check if you're eligible for a DRO. To qualify, you must meet the following conditions: you have lived or worked in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland within the last three years, you owe less than £50,000, your assets are worth less than £2,000, your car is worth less than £4,000, and your disposable income is less than £75 per month.
You also cannot be a homeowner or act as a company director, and you must not have or have had a formal insolvency solution in the last six years. If you meet these requirements, the debt advisor will complete your application on your behalf and submit it to the Insolvency Service. If you're not eligible for a DRO, they will discuss alternative options with you.
It is completely free to apply for a DRO. You may have seen somewhere that there is a £90 application fee, but this was abolished in June 2024.
Your application will be received by an official receiver at the Insolvency Service, whose job it is to decide whether or not your DRO should be approved. They will authorise your DRO if your application was completed correctly, defer your DRO if they require further information, or reject your DRO altogether if you're ineligible or you submitted false information.
What is the DRO Register?
There is no separate Debt Relief Order Register. Debt Relief Orders (DROs) are registered on the Individual Insolvency Register (IIR), which is maintained by the Insolvency Service, alongside other insolvency cases, such as Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) and bankruptcies.
The IIR is only available in England and Wales. Northern Ireland has a separate register called the DRO and BRO Register, which is maintained by the Department for the Economy. DROs are not available in Scotland.
It can be searched for free by anyone using a first name, although it is generally only accessed by lenders, credit reference agencies, employers, and landlords when checking your credit history.
If you're considering a DRO, it's important to understand the IIR and how it works. Knowing your information is visible on a public forum can be daunting, but it's extremely unlikely that anyone you know will ever stumble upon it by chance.
How long does a Debt Relief Order (DRO) stay on the register?
Most DROs last 12 months, but your entry on the IIR will be visible from the date your DRO begins until three months after its end date (15 months in total).
However, it's important to note that, like most debt solutions, a DRO will remain on your credit file for six years from the date it begins. During this time, your credit rating will take a hit, and you'll find it difficult to get approved for most forms of credit, including a mortgage, loan, bank account, credit card, phone contract, and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) agreement.
It's a good idea to print off a copy of your entry on the IIR showing your DRO as complete in the three months between your arrangement ending and it being removed. It's also worth checking the IIR after three months to confirm that your entry has been removed, so you can start to rebuild your finances.
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How to check the DRO register
The IIR can be searched by anyone for free using a first name or trading name (if searching for a sole trader).
The IIR can be found on the GOV.uk website here. When you search for a name, a list of all related individuals will be presented. From there, you can click on an entry and view all relevant details. To find a specific entry quicker, try searching for a full name or a nickname instead.
If you notice a mistake on your IIR entry, you must contact the office that dealt with your DRO and request that they update your record or use this page to report an error.
Why is my DRO not showing on the register?
There are several reasons why your DRO may not be showing up on the IIR.
The most common cause is that your DRO has not been officially approved yet. Remember, a DRO is only listed on the IIR from the date it begins, so it won't be visible if you're still going through the application process.
Another reason could be that you're searching the wrong register. The IIR only includes information about IVAs, DROs, and bankruptcies in England and Wales. For DROs in Northern Ireland, use the DRO and BRO Register.
Finally, while most records are updated promptly, administrative delays occasionally occur. Something as simple as a spelling mistake or incorrect details can mean entries are not added when they should be.
If you've recently entered a DRO but your details have not been added to the IIR, contact the approved intermediary managing your arrangement to ask them why your entry has not been added yet.
Who can see your DRO on the register?
As previously mentioned, the IIR can be accessed by anyone. However, it's highly unlikely that anyone you know will stumble upon your entry by chance.
The IIR is typically only accessed by lenders, credit reference agencies, regulated employers, some landlords, and letting agents if they have a legitimate reason to check your credit history.
For example, a small number of regulated industries (e.g. financial services or law) have rules against employees being insolvent. A prospective employer may therefore search for your name on the IIR to confirm you're not in an active insolvency solution before offering you the job.
Similarly, some landlords and letting agents may check the IIR to verify your insolvency status and confirm you'll be able to afford your rent payments for the duration of your tenancy.
What details does the register show?
All entries on the IIR are broken up into three main sections.
The first section is all about the individual. It includes several details, such as name, occupation, and last-known address.
The next section contains information about the case, including the type of insolvency solution, case number, year it began, and current status (e.g. current or failed).
The final section contains details for the Insolvency Service, which is the government agency responsible for updating and maintaining the register.
The IIR will also show if you've been subject to any penalties, such as a Bankruptcy Restrictions Order (BRO) or a Debt Relief Restrictions Order (DRRO), for breaking the rules of your arrangement. A BRO or DRRO extends the length of time you have to follow your DRO or bankruptcy restrictions for an additional two to 15 years.
How much unsecured debt do you have?
Can you keep a DRO off the register?
If you believe you could be at risk if your details were publicised on the IIR, you can submit a request for a Person at Risk of Violence (PARV) order. With a PARV order in place, your name will still be recorded on the register, but your address will be omitted.
To apply for a PARV order, complete this form and send it to your local court alongside a witness statement. There is a section at the bottom of the form explaining what should be included in your witness statement.
It's important to apply for a PARV order at the right time. By submitting your application at the same time as you apply for a DRO, it ensures your name is never published and gives you the opportunity to withdraw your DRO application in the event the court rejects your PARV order.
What happens to your register entry when the DRO ends?
Your entry on the IIR will be removed around three months after your DRO ends.
This is an automatic process, which means you don't need to do anything to ensure its removal. However, you will not be informed that your DRO has ended, so it's important to keep a note of when your DRO starts so you can know when to expect it to end. If you've forgotten your start date, it should be listed on your IIR entry.
If you check the IIR after three months and your entry has not been removed, contact the Insolvency Service and ask for an update. Alternatively, use this page on the GOV.UK website to report an issue.
Conclusion
A Debt Relief Order (DRO) is a formal debt solution that can give you relief from your unsecured debts before writing them off if your financial situation doesn't improve after 12 months. If you have a DRO, it will be visible on a public register called the Individual Insolvency Register (IIR) until three months after your arrangement ends.
Your entry on the IIR will include your personal details, case details, contact details for the Insolvency Service, and whether you have any penalties against you. This information can be viewed by anyone who searches for your name.
If you're considering a DRO but you want more information before you proceed, don't hesitate to reach out for free debt advice from a financial expert. If you don't qualify for a DRO, there are other solutions that may be better suited to deal with your debt.
